U.S. patent number 5,280,988 [Application Number 07/975,094] was granted by the patent office on 1994-01-25 for multi-pivoting arrangement for visor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Plasta Fiber Industries Corp.. Invention is credited to Robert M. Gute.
United States Patent |
5,280,988 |
Gute |
January 25, 1994 |
Multi-pivoting arrangement for visor
Abstract
A mounting system for use in combination with a vehicle visor
which is movable between a storage position and first and second
use positions. A mounting bracket is provided which is adapted to
be affixed to the vehicle for supporting the visor. The mounting
bracket has an immovable pivot shaft extending therefrom. A block
cooperating with the mounting bracket is provided to enable pivotal
movement of the block and the visor relative to the pivot shaft
between a storage position and a first use position. The block also
enables pivotal movement of the visor relative to the block between
the first use position and a second use position.
Inventors: |
Gute; Robert M. (Corunna,
MI) |
Assignee: |
Plasta Fiber Industries Corp.
(Marlette, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
25522696 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/975,094 |
Filed: |
November 12, 1992 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/97.9;
296/97.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J
3/0204 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60J
3/02 (20060101); B60J 003/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;296/97.9,97.12,97.13 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Song; Robert R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Brooks & Kushman
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mounting system in combination with a vehicle visor movable
between a storage position and first and second use positions, the
system comprising:
a mounting bracket adapted to be affixed to the vehicle for
supporting the visor, the mounting bracket having an immovable
pivot shaft extending therefrom;
a block having a barrel pivotably connecting the visor thereto
enabling pivotal movement of the visor relative to the block
between the first use position and the second use position; and
means for pivotably connecting the block to the immovable pivot
shaft enabling pivotal movement of the block and the visor relative
to the pivot shaft between the storage position and the first use
position.
2. The mounting system of claim 1 wherein the storage position is
located in a first plane and the first and second use positions are
located in a second plane generally perpendicular to the first
plane.
3. The mounting system of claim 1 wherein the pivot shaft includes
a flat surface located on one side of the pivot shaft, the flat
surface providing a detent position when the visor is located in
the storage position.
4. The mounting system of claim 3 wherein the pivot shaft has a
pair of flat surfaces located on opposed sides of the pivot shaft
and opposite ends thereof to provide the detent position for the
visor in the storage position.
5. The mounting system of claim 1 wherein the block further
includes fastening means for securely fastening the pivot shaft to
the block, and the block having retaining means for pivotally
retaining the block within the visor allowing pivotal movement
therebetween.
6. The mounting system of claim 5 wherein the fastening means
further comprises:
a first clip cooperating with the pivot shaft and the visor, the
first clip having a first leg and a second leg, one of the first
leg and the second leg defining a cutaway cooperating with the
pivot shaft to obtain the detent position when the visor is in the
storage position;
a second clip cooperating with the first clip to securely fasten
the first clip about the pivot shaft; and
a housing defining an aperture for receiving the pivot shaft, the
housing having an upper rib adapted to cooperate with the first
clip and the housing having a lower rib adapted to cooperate with
the second clip, such that the housing enables the visor to pivot
in the first plane between the storage position and the first use
position.
7. The mounting system of claim 6 wherein the block retains the
first clip, the second clip and the housing to form a
self-contained sub-assembly having an appealing exterior
appearance.
8. The mounting system of claim 5 wherein the retaining means
further comprises the visor defining a bore therein, the bore is
mounted generally perpendicular to the pivot shaft, and a barrel is
affixed to and extends from the block, the barrel is adapted to be
received within the visor bore for pivotal movement therein
enabling the visor to pivot relative the block between the first
use position and the second use position.
9. The mounting system of claim 8 wherein the retaining means
further includes the barrel having an annular groove cooperating
with an indentation for pivotally retaining the barrel.
10. The mounting system of claim 1 wherein the visor defines a
cutout adapted to cooperate with the block enabling the visor to be
in axial alignment with a vehicle headliner when the visor in is
the storage position and enabling the visor to pivot relative to
the block between the first use position and the second use
position.
11. The mounting system of claim 1 wherein the block is generally
rectangular in shape and has a first end and a second end adapted
for receiving the fastening means.
12. A mounting system in combination with a vehicle visor, the
mounting system comprising:
a visor having a cutout located therein and the cutout defining a
bore;
a pivot shaft having a generally circular cross section, the shaft
cooperating with the visor, and the shaft having a flat surface
located on one side of the shaft, the flat surface providing a
detent position for locating the visor in a storage position;
a first clip cooperating with the shaft and the visor, the first
clip having a first leg and a second leg, one of the first leg and
the second leg defining a cutaway cooperating with the flat surface
to locate the flat surface to obtain the detent position when the
visor is in the storage position;
a second clip cooperating with the first clip to securely fasten
the first clip about the pivot shaft;
a housing defining an aperture for receiving the shaft, the housing
having an upper rib adapted to cooperate with the first clip and
the housing having a lower rib adapted to cooperate with the second
clip, such that the housing enables the visor to pivot in a first
plane between the storage position and a first use position;
and
a block adapted to receive the housing when the first clip and the
second clip are securely fastened about the pivot shaft, the block
having a barrel affixed thereto and projecting therefrom, the
barrel pivotally seated within the visor bore so as to enable the
visor to pivot in a second plane about the block between the first
use position overlaying a windshield and a second use position
overlaying an adjacent side window.
13. The mounting system of claim 12 wherein the pivot shaft
includes a pair of flat surfaces located on opposing sides of the
pivot shaft.
14. The mounting system of claim 12 wherein the block includes a
first end and a second end adapted to receive the first clip, the
second clip, and the housing, enabling pivotal movement of the
visor in the first plane about the pivot shaft and enabling
movement of the visor relative the block in a second plane.
15. The mounting system of claim 12 wherein the pivot shaft has a
L-shaped configuration which extends from the mounting bracket to
cooperate with the block.
16. The mounting system of claim 12 wherein the first clip defines
a tang in one of the first leg and the second leg.
17. The mounting system of claim 12 wherein the second clip defines
a catch in one of the first leg and the second leg cooperating with
the corresponding first leg and second leg of the first clip for
securely fastening the second leg to the first leg.
18. The mounting system of claim 12 wherein the housing defines a
first aperture and a second aperture such that the second aperture
is smaller than the first aperture so as to cooperate with the
pivot shaft to prevent axial movement of the visor relative to the
pivot shaft in first direction.
19. The mounting system of claim 12 wherein the pivot shaft
includes an annular groove located distal from the head cooperating
with the first clip to limit axial movement of the visor relative
the pivot shaft in a second direction.
a mounting bracket affixed to the vehicle for supporting a visor
and the mounting bracket having a pivot shaft immovably extending
therefrom;
fastening means for pivotally fastening the visor to the pivot
shaft;
a block adapted to receive the fastening means, the block enabling
the visor and the block to pivot about the pivot shaft in a first
plane between a storage position and a first use position; and
retaining means for pivotally retaining the block within the visor
enabling the visor to pivot relative to the block in a second plane
generally perpendicular to the first plane between the first use
position and a second use position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to visors, and in particular, to a multiple
pivoting mounting system for a visor.
BACKGROUND ART
Sun visors have been standard equipment on motor vehicles for many
years. Generally, these visors are mounted to the upper interior
surface of a vehicle by a mounting bracket, which secures the visor
to the upper outside corner of the driver/passenger's compartment.
Conventional visors may be pivoted from a retracted storage
position overlaying the headliner of a vehicle to a lowered use
position overlaying the windshield. In addition, the visor may be
pivotable between the lowered use position overlaying the
windshield to a side position overlaying an adjacent side
window.
Traditionally, visors have been pivotable in a first plane about
the pivot shaft between the retracted storage position and the
extended use position. Visors have also been pivotable about a
second plane between the windshield and the adjacent side window by
pivoting with the pivot shaft relative to the mounting bracket.
Examples of this approach to pivoting in a first and second plane
may be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,825,926, 4,148,519, 4,610,477,
4,489,974, 4,925,233, 5,011,211 and 5,011,213.
An alternative approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,875 to
Dow which utilizes a conventional mounting bracket having a pivot
shaft which is pivoted in a first plane between the windshield and
an adjacent side window. A pivot member is attached to the pivot
shaft. The pivot member has a second pivot shaft support rod about
which the visor may be pivoted in a second plane between the
retracted storage position and the extended use position. The pivot
member also pivots in a third plane about an axis generally
perpendicular to the support rod. In this configuration, a pivot
member having an additional support rod is attached to an existing
mounting bracket having a pivot shaft to provide an additional
degree of freedom about which the visor may rotate.
The present invention is directed to improving known mounting
systems for use with vehicle visors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A mounting system is provided for use in combination with a vehicle
visor movable between a storage position and first and second use
positions. A mounting bracket is provided which is adapted to be
affixed to the vehicle for supporting the visor. The mounting
bracket has an immovable pivot shaft extending therefrom. A block
is provided which cooperates with the mounting bracket to enable
pivotal movement of the block and the visor relative to the pivot
shaft between a storage position and a first use position. The
block also enables pivotal movement of the visor relative to the
block between the first use position and the second use
position.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting
system for use in combination with a vehicle visor. A visor is
provided which has a cut-out located therein such that the cut-out
defines a bore. A pivot shaft is provided having a generally
circular cross section. The shaft cooperates with the visor such
that the shaft has a flat surface located on one side of the shaft
which provides a detent position for locating the visor in a
storage position. A first clip is provided which cooperates with
the shaft and the visor. The first clip has a first leg and a
second leg, one of the first and the second legs defines a cut-away
cooperating with the flat surface to locate the flat surface to
obtain the detent position when the visor is in the storage
position. A second clip is provided which cooperates with the first
clip to securely fasten the first clip about the pivot shaft. A
housing is provided which defines an aperture for receiving the
shaft. The housing has an upper rib adapted to cooperate with the
first clip and has a lower rib adapted to cooperate with the second
clip. The housing enables the visor to pivot in a first plane
between the storage position in a first use position. A block is
provided which is adapted to receive the housing when the first
clip and the second clip are securely fastened about the pivot
shaft. The block has a barrel affixed thereto and projecting
therefrom which is seated within the visor bore so as to enable the
visor to pivot in a second plane about the block between the first
use position overlaying the windshield and a second use position
overlaying an adjacent side window.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a mounting
system for use in combination with a vehicle visor. A mounting
bracket is provided which is affixed to the vehicle for supporting
a visor such that the mounting bracket has an immovable pivot shaft
extending therefrom. A fastening means is provided for fastening
the visor to the pivot shaft. A block is provided which is adapted
to receive the fastening means such that the block enables the
visor and the block to pivot about the pivot shaft in a first plane
between a storage position and a first use position. A retaining
means is provided for pivotally retaining the block within the
visor to enable the visor to pivot relative to the block in a
second plane generally perpendicular to the first plane between the
first use position and a second use position.
A feature of the present invention is to provide a block which
cooperates with the mounting bracket to enable pivotal movement of
the block and the visor relative to the pivot shaft between a
storage position and a first use position and enabling pivotal
movement of the visor relative to the block between the first use
position and a second use position, by utilizing a mounting bracket
fixedly mounting the pivot shaft to the vehicle.
An advantage of the present invention is to provide a block
enabling pivotal movement of the visor relative to the block
between the first use position and the second use position thereby
avoiding a complicated and expensive mounting bracket assembly
which enables the pivot shaft to pivot.
The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention
are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the
best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of a vehicle showing
the visor in a storage position in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 1 showing the visor
in a first use position overlaying the windshield;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 1 showing the visor
in a second use position overlaying an adjacent side window;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view partially cut-away showing
the major elements of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a partial view of the mounting system partially cut-away
taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1 showing the visor when in the
storage position;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5
showing the positioning of the first clip relative to the pivot in
the detent position when the visor is in the storage position;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG.
5 when the visor is in the storage position;
FIG. 8 is a view of the mounting system shown in FIG. 5 showing the
housing when the visor is positioned in either the first and second
use positions; and
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 8
showing the positioning of the first clip relative to the pivot
shaft when the visor is positioned in either of the first and
second use positions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 shows a mounting
system, generally indicated at 10. In the preferred embodiment, the
mounting system 10 has a visor 12, a mounting bracket 14 and a
block 16.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the mounting bracket 14 is generally
triangular in shape and is affixed to a headliner AA of the vehicle
by means of a plurality of screws 15 or the like. An immovable
pivot shaft 18 is affixed to the mounting bracket 14 and extends
outwardly therefrom. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS.
1-9, the pivot shaft 18 is generally L-shaped. However, it is
possible to utilize a straight pivot shaft (not shown) rather than
the generally L-shaped pivot shaft 18 described in the preferred
embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the block 16 is generally rectangular in shape.
The block 16 is generally hollow having open first and second ends
17, 19. A barrel 20 is affixed to the block and projects outwardly
therefrom. The barrel has a tapered section 22 adjacent the free
end of the barrel.
As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the visor 12 defines a cut-out 24 on that
portion of the visor adjacent the mounting bracket 14. The cut-out
24 is adapted to accommodate the block 16 enabling the visor 12 to
lay generally in the plane of the headliner AA when the visor is in
the storage position. The cut-out 24 defines a bore 26 which runs
generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the visor. Bore
26 is adapted to pivotally receive the barrel 20 of the block 16.
An indentation 28 is located within the bore 26 which cooperates
with a shoulder in the tapered section 22 of the barrel in order to
pivotally retain the barrel 20 within the bore 26 to enable the
visor 12 to pivot relative to the block 16 between the first use
position shown in FIG. 2 and the second use position shown in FIG.
3.
As shown in FIGS. 4-6, 8 and 9 the pivot shaft 18 has a first flat
surface 30 and a second flat surface 32 located on opposite sides
and opposite ends of the pivot shaft. The pivot shaft 18 also has a
tapered end 34 and an annular groove 36 which is located opposite
the tapered end 34.
As best shown in FIGS. 4-6, 8 and 9, the pivot shaft 18 cooperates
with a housing 38 and is secured thereto by a first clip 40 and a
second clip 42. Once the pivot shaft 18 is pivotally secured within
the housing 38, the housing and pivot shaft are inserted within the
block 16 for mounting the visor 12 to the mounting bracket 14. The
housing 38 has a first aperture 44 and a second aperture 46 located
at opposite ends of the housing 38. The first aperture 44 is
relatively larger in diameter than the second aperture 46. The
second aperture 46 has a diameter which is adapted to receive the
tapered end 34 of the pivot shaft 18 but which prevents the
remainder of pivot shaft 18 from being inserted within the second
aperture 46 to prevent axial movement of the visor 12 relative to
the pivot shaft 18 in a first direction. The housing 38 also has an
upper ridge 48 which cooperates to properly seat the first clip 40.
A lower ridge 50 is provided on the housing 38 to properly seat the
second clip 42.
The first clip 40 is generally U-shaped and has a first leg 52 and
a second leg 54. Each of the first leg and the second leg have a
cut-out 56 and a tang 58 located at opposite sides and opposite
ends of their respective first leg and second leg. The second clip
42 is also generally U-shaped and has a first leg 60 and a second
leg 62. A catch 64 is located at opposite ends of the second clip,
first leg 60 and the second clip, second leg 62 so as to correspond
with the tang 58 located on the first clip, first leg 52 and the
first clip, second leg 54 so as to pivotally affix the pivot shaft
18 within the housing 38. Annular groove 36 cooperates with the
internal surface of the tang 58 for limiting axial movement of the
visor 12 relative to the pivot shaft 18 in a second direction.
Once the first clip 40 and the second clip 42 have secured the
pivot shaft 18 within the housing 38, the entire sub-assembly is
inserted within the block 16 for mounting the visor 12 to the
vehicle. The block is configured to snugly receive and contain the
sub-assembly during operation of the visor between positions. This
self-contained sub-assembly presents an appealing appearance to the
vehicle occupants.
In operation, pivot shaft 18 is inserted within the housing 38. The
first clip and second clip are then mounted on the housing 38
around the pivot shaft 18. The sub-assembly is then inserted within
the block 16 which is mounted to the visor 12. In normal operation,
the visor overlays the headliner AA in the storage position such
that the detent is located to retain the visor in the storage
position as shown in FIG. 1. To shield against glare entering
through the windshield BB, the block 16 and the visor 12 are
pivoted about the pivot shaft 18 so as to overlay the windshield BB
as shown in FIG. 2. To shield against glare entering the adjacent
side window CC, the visor 12 is pivoted relative to the block 16 by
having the visor 12 pivot about the barrel 20 so as to overlay the
adjacent side window CC as shown in FIG. 3. The visor 12 has a
flexible end portion 13 which enables the visor 12 to overlay the
adjacent side window CC in response to movement of the visor about
the block 16. The effective length of the visor overlaying the
adjacent side window CC is slightly reduced because of the pivoting
of the visor about the block rather than the pivot shaft 18
pivoting about the mounting bracket 14. This slight reduction in
effective length of the area covered by the visor 12 results in
significant glare protection while still allowing the vehicle
operator to look out of the rear portion of the side window CC when
desired, such as to ensure that there is no car in his blind
spot.
While the preferred embodiment and alternative embodiments of the
invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the
art to which this invention relates will recognize various
alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as
defined by the following claims.
* * * * *